DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA ARMS (S&L)
NUMBER=2-258504
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  U-S officials say Secretary of State Madeleine 
Albright will discuss proposals for deep cuts in the 
U-S and Russian nuclear arsenals during her upcoming 
trip to Moscow.  AS V-O-A's Kyle King reports from the 
State Department, Ms. Albright also will seek changes 
in the U-S Russia treaty that bans anti-missile 
defense systems.

TEXT:  State Department spokesman James Rubin says Ms. 
Albright would like to see modest adjustments to the 
1972 anti-ballistic missile (A-B-M) treaty.

The United States has been testing a missile defense 
system to guard against surprise attack by so-called 
rogue states.

But Russian officials have refused to consider any 
changes to the treaty, saying they fear a new arms 
race.

Ms. Albright's spokesman says the United States would 
welcome a change in the Russian position.

            /// Rubin Act ///

      Any recognition by Russia that amendments to the 
      A-B-M Treaty can be accomplished without 
      undermining the fundamental purpose of the A-B-M 
      Treaty would be a welcome step in the right 
      direction.

            /// End Act ///

State Department spokesman James Rubin says Ms. 
Albright also will use her talks to urge the Russians 
to ratify the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty known as 
START-Two.

            /// Rest Opt for Long ///

The treaty, which would limit the number of warheads 
on U-S and Russian missiles to about three-thousand 
each, has already been ratified by the U-S Senate.

Some Russian lawmakers have objected to the cuts 
called for in the treaty, because they would eliminate 
Russian dominance in some missile categories.

Ms. Albright's spokesman says she also will use her 
visit to discuss U-S ideas for a START-Three treaty 
that would make even deeper warhead cuts.

Secretary of State Albright travels to Moscow Sunday 
following an international economic conference in 
Switzerland.  She is expected to hold talks with 
acting Russian President Vladimir Putin and take part 
in a Middle East peace conference during her visit. 
(signed)

NEB/KBK/JP




27-Jan-2000 17:19 PM EDT (27-Jan-2000 2219 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.